Once Yudhishthira asked Lord Shri Krishna, O Lord! Please tell me in detail about Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi, then Lord Shri Krishna said Yudhishthira, I am going to tell you the story of Ekadashi Ekadashi, you listen carefully, this Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi is also known by many names, including Padma Ekadashi, Parivartini Ekadashi, Jayanti Ekadashi, Jhulani Ekadashi, Devjhulani Ekadashi and Vaman Ekadashi. Even if Yagya is performed on this day, the same benefits will be obtained as will be obtained by observing this fast. There is no more effective way for sinners to get freedom from sins than by observing and listening to this fast. Whoever worships my Vamana avatar on the day of Ekadashi, he attains fame and prosperity, all his sorrows automatically end. Therefore, those who desire salvation should observe this fast with devotion. Lord Shri Krishna further tells that in Treta Yuga, there was a demon named Bali. Along with being a demon, he was a very devout, generous, truthful and served the Brahmins. He always used to perform yagya, tapasya etc. but he had enmity with Devraj Indra, pleased with Bali's devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed him and said, O Bali! You will become the king of demons and no one will be able to defeat you.
After this blessing, King Bali gathered all the demons and then they attacked the gods. The gods were defeated in the fierce battle and Bali captured Indralok, due to which the gods got frightened and the gods went to Lord Vishnu to get their Lok back and started pleading to get Indralok back.
Lord Vishnu decided to help the gods. Then he took the fifth form as Vamana avatar and reached King Bali. Vamana said to Bali, O King Bali! You donate three steps of land to me. Bali promised to give three steps of land to Vaman. On this, the demon Guru Sukalacharya stopped him a lot and also told him about the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, but King Bali being a very generous person, said, O Gurudev! I have promised him and I cannot go back on my promise and as far as he is the incarnation of Vishnu, it is a matter of great fortune for me that Lord Vishnu himself has come to me as a beggar. Saying this, he ordered Lord Vaman to take three steps of land.
Then Lord Vaman assumed a huge form and placed his first step on heaven. For his second step, he measured the earth and covered it in a single step, after this Vamana asked Bali for his third step to tell him where to place his third step, on this King Bali said, Lord you place your third step on my head, then as Lord Vamana placed his third step on King Bali's head for his third step, he took Bali to Patala Lok. Seeing Bali's devotion, Lord Vamana was extremely pleased and made him the king of Patala Lok.
After sending Bali to Patala Lok, Lord Vishnu returned his Lok to the gods. The gods thanked Lord Vishnu and pleased him.
On this day, Lord Vishnu turns on his side while sleeping, due to which Lord Vishnu should be worshipped on this day.
This story shows that Lord Vishnu always protects his devotees. He was pleased with Bali's devotion and blessed him. But, when Bali encouraged the demons, Lord Vishnu banished him to Patala loka.
